Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-08-13
THE CLOAK OF TRUTH.


there lived in the days when fairies still
visited this earth, little girl whose name
was YuddL Her parents were poor and
had to work hard and continuously 10 gain
even the small amount on which oriental
laborers are atle TO support life. Poor
little Yuddi's childhood was not very full
of pleasure. For her were none Of the toys
and games that modern skill and ingenuity
have fashioned, to make the season Of
youth enjoyable.
A few naturally rounded stones with
which a kind OF game Of marbles" WAS
Just practicable, and a bundle of rags
which did duty for doll, were her sole
means of amusement. And even these
She had but little time to enjoy; for rs
soon as she was strong enough she was
required TO help to we'd and CLEAN in the
rice and grain fields in summer; and in
winter TO assist her mother in keeping
their hut-which was made of twisted
bamboo canes plastered with mud-in
order In the cold season Yuddi was oc-
casionally sent 10 a school presided over
by a wise old Brahmin, Rhasta, who for
few ''pice. as the smallest natiye coin
is called, taught his pupils as much as
their brains could absorb in the limited
time they gave to study.
Many people think that India is land
where great heat prevails the year round.
This is true only Of certain of the south
ern parts: but in the north, where there
are some of the highest mountains in
the world and where farming is carried
on in the valleys between lofty hills or
upon very elevated plateaus. the cold in
winter and during the long rainy season.
is often intense. Poor Yuddi frequently
suffered much from the bitter weather.
her clothing being thin and scanty, while
the walls Of the hut and the loosely fittinS
doorway admitted q great deal of frosty
air.
The dearest wish of her heart was for a
large, warm cloak, in which she could
brave the cold when she was allowed 10 90
10 school and wrap herself at night.
Often and often she prayed that such a
good gift might be sent To her, but for a
long time in vain. She had heard a great
deal about fairies who watched over good
children, yet tie one who oYSht 10 have
attended on her had never bllle herself
known. With the sweet, trusting faith
Of childhood Yuddi did not gave way to
despair, but only stroye to be a better girl.
believing that if her guardian had not
come il was because she had not deserved
the boon.
Late one night, after Yuddi had been
asleep for several hours, she was startled
from her slumber by voice calling in the
sweetest tones she had ever heard:
Awake Yuddi, and see what / have
brought theer' The child sat up on her
bed of dried rice leaves. rubbed her as
tonished eyes. which at length showed to
her the most beautiful being she had ever
seen. Yuddi knew at once that ii was a
fairy II was not, however, such a crea-
ture as our western writers have told US
OF, or that we see in pictures or upon the
stage in pantomimes and spectacular plays.
1t was not dressed in white gaUIZe. nor did
1t have butterfly like wings and magic
wand. No! this was an Indian fairy,
with q dark olive tinted skin and with
bare arms and feet. Round the body was
wound in numerous folds a scarf Of some
many colored material, in which shone
threads of gold. The folds fell almost TO
the knee, below which appeared loose
trousers OF semi-transparent silver gauze.
Round her wrists and ankles were mas
sive rings studded with gems.
A single diamond, brilliant as the
"Kohinoor'' itself-Queen Victoria S rich
est jewel-glittered on her forehead, sus-
tanned by a narrow fillet Of gold. From
this seemed to flow a soft light, which
suffused the hut. Once, when at the
bazar, Yuddi had seen Nautch dancer,
who bore q faint resemblance to the fairy.
That dancer had been, till now, her ideal
of beauty but she saw at once how sur
passingly lovely was the present visitor.
Yuddi was not at all frightened, but she
glanced round with some anxiety TO see
II her parents We're awake. They were
sleeping soundly, and Iuddi could not
help feeling glad that she had this lovely
vision all 10 herself.
Il am awake" she said; ''what can
Yuddi, the little daughter Of Bi Lings, do
To serve you;'
Nothing, child" answered the fairy.
81 am come to serve you. You have
longed for q cloak; see, have brought
you one, 4" and she held up before the girls
delighted gaze the most exquisite garment
she had ever beheld. IL was Of the purest
white lambs wool, and round the collar
and edges were embroidered in letters of
gold some Of the wisest sayings Of
Brahma.
''Is that really for me, my very ownF'
cried Yuddi.
''Yes, my child, il you can keep the
conditions of the gift This is the Cloak
Of Truth and no one must wear 1t who
does not speak perfect truth. If the
wearer deceives or equiyocates, be ii never
SO little, the word 'Falsifier' will appear
on it in letters Of flaming scarlet. VIII
you take it and wear it,
Now Yuddi had ALWAYS been a very